The Way Government Works

Two great examples of lessons that we all should have learned many times over when it comes to government.

#1 It always costs more than projected

Cities' Wi-Fi Push Hits Snags (WSJ sub req):

The rollout of Minneapolis's wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, network -- a complex and wide-ranging orchestra of radios strung together to provide wireless Internet access -- was impeded by the simplest of things: leaves.

The constant and random swaying of foliage in the tree-heavy city wreaked havoc on Wi-Fi signal traffic.

"Wi-Fi and trees don't get along very well," said Joe Caldwell, chief executive of USI Wireless and founder of parent company US Internet Corp., of Minnetonka, Minn. "I don't think we had a full grasp on the problem. We knew the tree problem was bad, but I don't think we had an idea of how bad it was."

As a result, USI Wireless -- the company building and operating the network for the city -- had to increase the number of radios and access points, as well as put them in specially mounted poles to get around the large number of trees. It increased deployment costs by as much as a quarter.

Trees in Minneapolis causing problems? No way you could have seen that one coming. Sigh.

#2 There is no such thing as a temporary tax

Oberstar proposes gas tax increase for bridges:

WASHINGTON--House Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar proposed a temporary gas tax increase of 5 cents a gallon Wednesday, which would pay for a new trust fund to repair, replace and rehabilitate structurally deficient bridges on the National Highway System....

...Oberstar's plan is to increase the gas tax, which is currently 18.3 cents a gallon, for three years, which he said would bring in about $25 billion in additional revenue.

I for one have full faith and confidence that if Oberstar's proposal becomes law, three years from now he will be pushing just as vigorously to ensure that the tax is rescinded as planned. After all, the tax is temporary, right?